TalkSPORT pundit Alex Crook has claimed that the correct decision was made after Manchester United’s  Marcel Sabitzer was not awarded a card following what appeared to be a dangerous tackle.

What did Sabitzer do in United’s win?

In the first half against Leicester, the on-loan midfielder launched a heavy tackle on defender Wout Faes, in which his studs appeared to make contact above the Belgian’s knee.

Graeme Souness claimed that Sabitzer should have been awarded a red card for the dangerous tackle, but the Austrian was controversially not even booked for the challenge.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, (1.00) Crook claimed that whilst it wasn’t the best tackle from Sabitzer, that the decision to not award a red card was the correct one.

“Having seen the replay, there wasn’t enough force in the tackle,” he stated.

“If you watch it, he actually almost tries to turn his foot away. I think Alexis MacAllister’s challenge in the game against Crystal Palace last week was worthy.

“I agree with the call on Sabitzer, there was more momentum behind that. I think it was clumsy from Sabitzer,”

A game-changing decision?

Interestingly, the Premier League backed up Alex Crooks’ claim with their explanation also being the lack of force in the tackle.

Leicester started the first half as the better team, forcing David De Gea into a number of fine saves before Marcus Rashford eventually opened the scoring, but if United were reduced to ten as a result of the Sabitzer tackle, the outcome could have been different.

Erik ten Hag’s side were already missing Casemiro through suspension, and losing another central midfielder today would have reduced their options further.

With the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle their next domestic game, Sabitzer would have missed the trip to Wembley if he was awarded the red card and given a subsequent ban, and he will be breathing a sigh of relief that the referee did not send him off.